Philippe Saint-Andre will take over as France coach after the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the French rugby federation have confirmed.

The former France winger and current director of rugby at Toulon will replace current coach Marc Lievremont and take charge of the national team on December 1. Saint-Andre was widely tipped in the French media to replace Lievremont and on Thursday the FFR confirmed the appointment.

"The steering committee, which met today (Thursday) at the headquarters of the FFR in Marcoussis, has approved the appointment of Philippe Saint-Andre as the next coach of the XV of France," said the federation in a statement.

Lievremont, who replaced Bernard Laporte after the 2007 World Cup, announced in May 2010 that he would step following the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Saint-Andre's first game in charge will be against Italy in the Six Nations in February. According to Midi-Olympique, Saint-Andre will be joined by Toulouse forwards coach Yannick Bru and Biarritz coach Patrice Lagisquet who will look after the backs.

Saint-Andre won 69 caps for France between 1990 and 1997, including 34 as captain, before embarking on a coaching career firstly with Gloucester and then Bourgoin, Sale Sharks and finally Toulon.